Introduction

As I prepare for a 3-month-long trip throughout Europe, I’m adjusting to a new set of rules. The rules are:

• Everything I will ever need on the trip should fit in a 40-liter (or smaller) backpack.
• To have a consistent internet connection, allowing me to work abroad.
• To have fun and have lots of croissants and drinks.

For this blog, I’m focusing on the first rule. Before getting into what makes a capsule or a minimalist wardrobe, I want to point out what clothing says about you and why it’s important.

Why you should care about what you wear

Communication

You express so much through your clothing. Are you a finance bro and want to make it dead-obvious? Wear a button-up shirt with a vest. Are you into Dungeons and Dragons? Cool, accessorize your outfit with a Dungeon Master necklace or whatever it may be. Do you want to let people know you have zero style sense in 2024? Alright, wear skinny jeans.

No, but joking aside, you can definitely tell a lot about a person from their fashion choices. It's about communicating personality and expressing creativity. After all, someone once told me that your body is like a canvas and clothes are like paint. Which, to me, sounds a bit cliche and kinda out there. Though, I think the point is to use this canvas as a creative outlet and a way of obtaining a feeling of belonging and community. Why do you think people wear merchandise by their favorite musicians? It's a $4.3B industry (source: worldmetrics.org) based on giving you a sense of belonging and a way to communicate that you're part of Frank Ocean’s community, hopelessly praying for a new album.

Practicality

I remember like yesterday when I saved up for my first pair of leather loafers. Or when I ordered a nice pair of light blue jeans that complimented my waist. Or even when I found a button-up shirt in a thrift store. Clothing gives you confidence and comfort… and cargo pants give you extra pockets when you need to sneak snacks in at your local movie theater.

Culture

My friend recently sent me an Instagram post about Mongolia’s uniforms for this year’s Olympics. It demonstrates the cultural importance of clothing too. Just look at the insanely detailed embroidery illustrating everything from the Olympic torch to Mongolia’s majestic mountains. It’s badass. To support my point, here’s their uniforms compared to Denmark’s. It’s quite clear which team you would expect to have more morale. Not only that but also a feeling of pride for their country.

A minimalist wardrobe

Definition

To me, a minimalist wardrobe is one, maybe two pairs of shoes, three pairs of everything, and nothing more. This means three shirts, three pairs of pants, three pairs of underwear, and three pairs of socks. One pair to wear, one pair to wash, and one pair to dry.

There’s a lot to learn from this idea of a wardrobe. I have been a sinner (and still am) of buying several pieces of clothing like t-shirts, only for it to be left in the wardrobe and to be used once every three months. Instead, I could’ve been selective about the quality, colors, and fits of the shirts, opting for possibly more expensive clothing but ending up buying fewer in quantity, ultimately saving me money in the long run.

Bonus: Backpacker packing list and tips

Being blessed with friends and family who have tried the backpacking lifestyle, I have collected a bunch of travel tips. Slowly, I have been saving them in a document I like to call my backpacker bible. Use the link to view it or copy it as a template for Notion. I will try to keep it updated.

Adopting a minimalist wardrobe: for travelers and light living

Benefits

The biggest benefits of having a minimalist wardrobe when traveling are:

• Saves precious space in your small backpack: If the backpack is below 30 liters, it is considered a personal item on lots of airlines, meaning you save money on flights.
• Time saved picking out clothes: More time for munching foreign food and sightseeing.
• Appreciation: If you’re selective, you’ll be left with the best pieces in your wardrobe.

Principles

When I planned my minimalist wardrobe, I followed these three principles:

• Versatility for formal/casual events and layers for different types of weather.
• Cohesive colors make laundry easy. Have a balanced quantity of light and dark wash to have clothes available consistently.
• Quality and durable material.

My minimalist wardrobe: with consideration for activities and climate

The diagram below visualizes my wardrobe choices with consideration for workout and formal clothes. I assessed my needs based on my plans to participate in a networking conference (formal clothes) and my plans to do sports like wall climbing (workout clothes). Assessing my needs for weather conditions, I’m lucky to be mostly in warmer weather. For colder months, I included a light jacket and an overshirt for layering without taking up a significant amount of space.

For footwear, I chose a comfortable, versatile style-wise pair of shoes as I wasn’t going to be jogging or hiking for long distances on this trip.

Recap

• Clothing as communication
  • Your clothing choices reflect your personality, values, and sense of style, acting as a form of self-expression.
• Practicality of a minimalist wardrobe
  • A minimalist wardrobe saves space and time, and simplifies decision-making, especially important when traveling.
• Cultural sensitivity
  • Being mindful of cultural norms and expectations in different countries enhances your travel experience and shows respect.
• Benefits of minimalist travel
  • Saves space in your backpack, potentially saving money on flights.
  • Streamlines your daily routine, giving you more time to explore and enjoy your trip.
  • Encourages appreciation for each carefully chosen item in your wardrobe.
• Principles of a minimalist wardrobe
  • Focus on versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched.
  • Choose cohesive colors to simplify laundry and outfit coordination.
  • Prioritize quality and durable materials to ensure your clothing lasts the entire trip.

Final thoughts

Crafting a minimalist wardrobe is not only relevant for backpack travelers. It’s a mindset about intentional living and buying habits that encourage you to choose clothing with purpose and longevity in mind. It’s especially important today with e-commerce marketplaces like Temu and Shein encouraging fast fashion in a way that makes H&M look like charity work. So, as you prepare for your trip or want to change your wardrobe in favor of minimalism, opt out of impulse and trends, and consider how your clothing can enhance not just your comfort but also your connection to the places you visit and the people you meet.

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